Sito, Rua de 25 de Abril,

The Sitio at Nazare, Portugal

The Sitio of Nazare is the old city high up on a cliff overlooking stunning Nazare Beach.

To get to the top from the beach, take the Eiffel era funicular (1889). The smooth ride up to the top offers remarkable views. Once there, these views will just about take your breath away. There below you gasp at the gorgeous wide golden sand beach and the sapphire sea under that clear azure Portuguese sky.

Up there on the cliff is the old little city where life is more quiet and less crowded than down on the beach.

There are stands and stores with colorful souvenirs, hand made sweaters, straw hats, ice cream and the usual postcards.

A tiny chapel was built near the edge of the cliff on the spot where the Virgin Mary saved the life of a 12th century Portuguese knight when the deer he was hunting fell into the sea but he stopped at the very edge of the rock. That is the legend of Nazare. You can see the spot where the hoof of the deer is imprinted in the rock.

In 1377, the baroque Church of Our Lady of Nazare was founded. The exterior has a wide semi-circular steps and 2 square bell towers.The interior is highly gilded and has splendid blue & white Portuguese tiles.

I enjoyed the experience of the funicular ride and then the Sitio itself. We had dinner up there in one of the excellent restaurants.

I have been to Nazare a few times but this was my first visit to the Sitio. Try not to miss this extra thrill in Nazare.